(NAIROBI) – The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on Wednesday hosted a senior delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry of South Sudan for an exchange programme aimed at boosting trade relations and strengthening institutional frameworks between the two countries.
The South Sudanese delegation was led by the Director General for External Trade, Mr Stephen Matatia, and received by the KNCCI Secretariat under the leadership of Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr KK Mutai. The discussions centred on how South Sudan can learn from KNCCI’s experiences, including its achievements, challenges, and best practices.
Officials noted that the insights gathered would support the strengthening of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and enhance its role in promoting private sector growth. The engagement also sought to identify opportunities for deeper knowledge sharing, stronger cooperation, and ways to expand bilateral trade between South Sudan and Kenya.
The delegation included senior officials from the Ministry’s Domestic Trade, Private Sector Development, and Planning, Research and Statistics departments. Their participation was seen as a sign of South Sudan’s wider efforts to build stronger institutions that can support investment and trade development.
KNCCI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Sudan’s business institutions and highlighted the importance of regional collaboration for shared economic growth. The Chamber expressed readiness to work closely with the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, investors, and other stakeholders to strengthen regional integration and create mutually beneficial trade partnerships.
For South Sudan, the visit represents an opportunity to develop its domestic trade structures while drawing on Kenya’s more established business environment. Stronger links between chambers of commerce in the region are expected to help reduce barriers to trade, improve cooperation, and build confidence among private sector players in both countries.
Main Areas of Focus in the Exchange Visit
| Focus Area | South Sudan Objective | Kenya Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Capacity | Build stronger Chamber of Commerce frameworks | Share best practices from KNCCI operations |
| Private Sector Growth | Strengthen business environment | Showcase Kenya’s business support services |
| Bilateral Trade | Expand South Sudan–Kenya trade relations | Promote cross-border business cooperation |
| Knowledge Sharing | Enhance skills and planning | Facilitate exchange programmes and training |
According to a statement by the Trade Ministry delegation, the Nairobi programme is part of wider regional efforts to promote closer economic cooperation in East Africa, where South Sudan continues to position itself as an active member of the regional trade network.